Melissa A. Cole, 43

JULY 1, 1968-MARCH 4, 2012

Melissa Ann “Missy” Cole, 43, of Knoxville, Md., departed this life Sunday, March 4, 2012, at her residence.

Born July 1, 1968, in Charles Town, W.Va., she was the daughter of Constance Tribby Cole and the late Donald Robert Cole Sr.

She was of the Pentecostal faith.

Missy was a graduate of Boonsboro High School, Class of 1986.

She loved her grandchildren deeply, and cherished the times with her family.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her fiancé, James “Jay” Ballard; one daughter, Cynthia “Nikki” Ballard; two sisters, Patty Longerbeam and husband, Eddie, and Karen Edelen and husband, Shawn, all of Knoxville; one brother, Sammy Cole of Bolivar, W.Va.; three grandchildren, Keiarra, Caden and Trenton; eight nieces, Jeanie, Heather, Terri Marie, Samantha, Breanna, Lacey, Brooke and Isabella; six nephews, Wayne, Codie, Logan, Nathan, Donovan and Dylan; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends by whom she will be deeply missed.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one brother, Terry Cole; and one nephew, Brent Longerbeam.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2012, at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, 256 Halltown Road, Charles Town/Harpers Ferry, W.Va., with the Rev. Bobby Roadcap officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Lutheran Cemetery in Bolivar.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.